Producing

I have a confession to make. I’m a Tetris addict. Thinking fast to fit those little blocks together with no gaps -- it is such a satisfying challenge. I love M.C. Escher and Mandelbrot fractals and the mathematics of the golden ratio for the same reason: the precision and manipulation of form.     Maybe it’s because my dad is a software engineer and he introduced me to flow diagrams when I was like seven years old, but to me, there’s nothing quite as exquisite as the beauty and elega...

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” - Roman philosopher Seneca   As you can see above, it was the Roman philosopher Seneca who first uttered those poignant words, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Since then, it has become one of the most repeated phrases by hard-working dreamers everywhere. And I can’t think of any better words that should describe the attitude that people involved in the entertainment industry should be taking during this...

Happy Sunday Creative Army! We had another amazing week of creativity and community here on Stage 32, and I am keeping that creativity train going this Sunday with your weekly dose of Coffee & Content. So grab your coffee and settle in for some epic and inspiring content.  First up, Vanity Fair sat down with Leonardo DiCaprio and Quentin Tarantino to break down Leo's character Rick Dalton in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. These two leaders of their crafts discuss men of 1960's Hollywood like...

The current Covid-19 virus pandemic has dramatically impacted our lives. Shelter in place, face masks, and social distancing seem to have become the new normal, at least for the near term. Schools are closed, sporting events cancelled, and non-essential businesses have been shut down. The stock market doesn’t know how to react. Creatives watch their future revenues evaporate as SXSW, Tribeca, Coachella and other festivals, large and small, are cancelled. Broadway is closed, uncertain whether pro...

For many years the second most needed element for any movie or project to be successful, outside of a Studio deal, was the Sales Agent. There have been many theories and speculations on the process of getting a sales agent on board of a film or series or project. A lot of it was answered broadly the necessity of a finance plan, talent attachments, and a good script. However, in today's world, which has ALL the power is the Territorial Distributor. Having an A-List sales agent means very lit...

Happy Wednesday, Stage 32 Community!   I hope this blog finds you safe, happy, healthy, and creative. You'll remember, I promised you free education during these challenging times to keep you entertained and to provide up-to-date, no BS information regarding how the industry is handling business during quarantine. I believe we've delivered some compelling and thoughtful panels, roundtables and even a live, online table read. And now we're ready to do it again by bringing you another free, live...

What's up, Stage 32 Creative Army? All over the world, we are all navigating the "new normal" that these uncertain times have thrust upon us. Between quarantine, social distancing, set closures and more, the future of the entertainment industry is uncertain at best... but there is a lot of good that is happening right now. Last week, I had the chance to sit down with my brother from another mother, Alex Ferrari at Indie Film Hustle for what I think is my 7,643rd podcast appearance. As always,...

Good morning Stage 32 Creative Crew! Welcome back to another week of creativity and productivity! We’re kicking off the week with a big dose of motivation to get you fired up for the week. But before we dive into this week’s story, did you hear what producer Bradley Gallo of Amasia Entertainment predicted during last week’s Executive Hour exclusively in the Writers' Room? He said that he is reading and developing more than ever because there are rumblings in the industry that productions coul...

The Evolution of the Creative process "Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes; Art is knowing which ones to keep." -Scott Adams We’ve all heard or referenced the Heraclitus quote, “The only constant in life is change.” I have long held the belief that creativity, like so much in life, changes as well. Writing, I’ve concluded is an evolutionary process. It was a fascinating observation once I realized this was true. I would love to say this was a “road to Damascus” revelation of my...

I chose to work from home over twenty years ago, for a number of reasons. I’m not only a writer; I’m also a licensed acupuncturist. The busy and crowded waiting room and space I couldn’t make comfortable for my patients just didn’t ring my bell. The hectic pace didn’t work for me either. Most of my patients were better served by a calm and relaxed environment. They liked the sanctuary and quiet space for an hour that could be part of their treatment. So I continued working at home. The commut...